Children's Center FAQs

The children of any Western student (full-time or part-time), Western faculty and staff, ESL and HISET students, students of other colleges partnering with Western, and relatives (grandchildren, nieces, and nephews) of Western faculty and staff can attend the Children's Center. Children kindergarten through second grade in SCSD #1 whose parents are currently attending or employed by Western are eligible to attend on Fridays from 7:45am-3:30pm. 

Children do not have to be potty-trained to join the Bunnies (two-year-old) classroom. They must be potty-trained to attend the Bears (three-year-old) and Turtles (four-year-old) classes. 

Children should bring a cold lunch if they will be in the Center at noon, a blanket to be left at the center (we wash these with bleach, weekly), and an extra set of clothing, including pants, shirt, socks, and underwear. Bunnies (two-year-olds) who are not potty-trained should bring diapers and wipes. 

The Children's Center has an eclectic curriculum, including inspiration from the Creative Curriculum, a nationally recognized, developmentally appropriate curriculum for children, and ZooPhonics-- a phonics-based program that uses actions, sounds, and pictures to help students learn letters and letter sounds. Our days consist of literacy, mathematics, science, art, music, computers, and gross motor activities, with a strong emphasis on the importance of play. 

Students are charged a per-credit fee, as well as a $45 supply fee each semester. Students are billed upon enrollment. Faculty and staff are charged a half-day (up to five hours) or a full-day rate, and are billed monthly based on attendance. Little Mustangs (Friday school-age kids) pay $15 per day for students and $30 per day for staff and a $50 supply fee each semester. 

Please ask about possible student assistance for payment of childcare fees.

Students are allotted one hour per credit hour per week for class time and an additional hour to participate in campus activities, study, etc. For example, a student taking six credit hours is allowed up to 12 hours of child care per week. Likewise, a student taking 12 credit hours is allowed up to 24 hours per week of care. 

Yes, the Children's Center provides both morning and afternoon snacks, as well as milk during lunch. 

We are open 7:45 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, following the academic calendar. We are open 7:00am to 6:00pm during summer semester.